Author's Note: Here it is, chapter three. Sorry it's taken me so long. With school being back in after that strike, it's been hell trying to figure out where we are and stuff. Not to mention, I've had to put all my writing inspiration into theatre (we've just finished some playwriting). But that's besides the point. This chapter has more Mark in it. It was was bit writing Mark, so it may seem a bit ... Careless in some spots. Sorry about that, too, haha. And, I've got a title for the story! Wee! That's about it. Enjoy!

Chapter Three:

Mark cannot believe it's taken a month to sort himself out. Well, he still isn't completely sorted out, but he feels he's done the best he can. He repacks his things, and he thinks about facing Roger. His nerves aren't overbearing, and he is happy for that. Somehow he feels that things will go smoothly. The only thing bothering Mark at the moment is his mother, who is not too keen on letting her son go back to the city. She's going to New York City with him (although, she is staying with a friend instead of Mark).

Mark sighs. He loves his mother, yet she is only tolerable in small doses.

"Mark, darling," Mrs. Cohen says through the door, "are you ready? We have to leave soon or we'll be late."

Mark makes a face of slight annoyance. He knows they have twenty minutes before they'll be late.

"I'll be right out, mom," Mark replied. He hears Mrs. Cohen walk downstairs and then picks up his suitcase and follows her.

Within half an hour, Mark and his mom are on a bus that is talking them to New York City. Mrs. Cohen is chatting happily to the woman across the aisle. Mark is trying to sleep. He thought he wasn't worried about facing Roger. Mark no realizes his bravado. He also understands why Roger chooses to run away from his problems so often. Things are less nerve-wracking that way. Mark hopes things will go alright. He will find out soon enough.

--

Roger has taken to sleeping in until nearly two in the afternoon. He finds that, this way, he does not get everything done so soon. At first, this new plan made a mess of his sleeping pattern. But Roger has had nearly a month to perfect this, and he likes sleeping in Mark's bed.

He rolls over, burying himself further under Mark's semi-thick comforter. Roger knows that it is well passed two. He cannot be bothered to get up today. He has nothing planned, nor can he think of anything to do. Roger yawns and closes his eyes.

Today, he will phone Mark. Well, at least that is what he tells himself, but he knows better. Every day he says that will phone Mark. He hasn't called once. Roger knows, deep inside, that he is scared. For the first time in his life, he is scared of Mark. It almost makes Roger laugh.

--

Mark has just finished dropping his mom off at her friend's house. He is relieved that she is not staying at the loft. Not only would she get overly annoying, but Mark knows that Mrs. Cohen is the last thing he needs to worry about right now. Things will be weird enough.

As he climbs the stairs to the loft, Mark swallows. His steps slow down. He suddenly wonders what he's doing and what he's getting into. Mark stops outside the door, his head filled with second thoughts.

Mark knows all too well how Roger is when it comes to relationships. He has seen the guitarist go through many of them, and he has been there through all the ups and downs. More importantly, Mark has seen how they all end. He does not want to be another piece of Roger's broken heart, nor does he want to be nothing more than angry fight to Roger. He breaths in deep and enters the loft.

The filmmaker is surprised that he doesn't hear the familiar sound of Roger's guitar. A small frown forms on his face. He wonders if Roger is even home (he does not let his mind jump to the horrible conclusions that linger in the darkness of his mind). Quietly, he opens the door to Roger's bedroom and finds the bed to be unused. Mark's frown grows. Yes, Roger must be out. Mark let's out a sigh. He has time to put himself together.

Walking to his room, Mark realizes he could use some sleep. With his ever growing nerves, he has not realized how worn out he is. Sleep, Mark thinks, is a good idea. He sets down his bag as soon as he gets into his room. He shrugs off his jacket and takes off his scarf. Biting back a yawn, Mark pulls off his shoes, as well. He is about to crawl into bed when he notices something odd. Pulling back the blanket, Mark blinks.

"Roger?"

Roger opens his eyes and looks at Mark. He matches the other man's look of surprise.

"Mark?"

"You're in my bed."

"You're home."

"You dyed your hair."

"You're home."

"Yeah … I'm home." Mark smiles a bit.

Roger grins in return. He gets out of the bed and pulls Mark into a hug.

"Thank God you're back. I was about to go fucking insane! I don't think I can even look at Maureen again for a whole year."

Mark laughs.

"So, I take it you've kept yourself busy?"

"Barely."

"And you've taken your AZT?"

"Every day."

"Good." Mark nods a bit.

Roger pulls out of the hug. He looks down at Mark.

"I've been meaning to phone you. About that message you left."

"Oh … Er …" Mark can feel his cheeks turn pink. He looks down at his socks. "Just … Forget about it. I don't know what came over me." He sees now how worried he really is about what Roger is going to say, and he turns to leave. Roger puts a hand on his shoulder.

"Hang on a moment. You're not getting off that easy." The guitarist turns his friend around to face him.

"I said to just forget it, Rog-"

Roger places a finger on Mark's lips.

"You don't even know what I'm going to say. Don't be so quick to assume the worst." Roger grins, his manner comfortable and confident. "I just want to say, that, after way too much thinking, I've come to the conclusion that it's a mutual feeling." He nods, as if imitating a high-end business man (or, in simpler terms, Benny).

"So, what you're saying is …" Mark looks up at Roger, more shocked than he was at discovering the songwriter in his bed. He feels his mouth twitching to form a grin.

"Yes, Mark." Roger rolls his eyes and laughs. Mark melts a bit. "That is exactly what I'm saying. Now get some sleep. You look half dead." He ruffles Mark's hair and then leaves the filmmaker alone to think about what has just happened.

Author's Note: As always, I'm curious to know what you think! As for information on the next chapter, it'll be mostly fluff, I think. At the very end of it, I'll introduce "the problem", because every story needs one. And that's it. Stay tuned for chapter four!